Chapter 2: The Last Heir

The voices were calling to her as the shadows danced. There were seven, one large and six small. The large one faced off against the six. She felt both pulling at her and calling to her. She was confused, were should she go? Who was right and who was wrong? Her head spun...

“Perhaps Matsumoto can answer my question?” said a crisp voice, breaking her from her dream, but not officially waking her up. “Matsumoto, wake up!” A large ruler fell in front of the teenager, causing her to jump and the rest of the class to laugh.

“What a freak,” someone behind her whispered.

Matsumoto Hana blushed as red as humanly possible. Her dark curls and eyes even seemed to take a reddish shade. She was a small girl, even at sixteen, and some people use to call her the China doll. She wore the traditional sailor uniform of the prestigious high school.“Gomen nasai Sensei,” she finally replied. Kobayashi-sensei sighed at the girl. “Detention tomorrow Matsumoto,” he said, moving on with his lecture. She nodded her understanding, yet silently sighing.

‘Guess I will have to tell Arai-san that I can’t make it to work tomorrow,’ she thought. The rest of the school day went in a boring blur, and luckily she didn’t daydream and get in anymore trouble. The rest of the teachers weren’t as nice and understanding as Kobayashi-sensei, she feared their punishments.

She started the long walk to her boarding house. She had grown up in an orphanage, never knowing her real parents, except for the names on her birth certificate, which she had rarely seen. She had been accepted into the a very prestigious high school, Narita High, and received a scholarship for the academic portion, but the rest, including her food and rent, weren’t free. She had to work as a store clerk to Arai-san on her nights and Sundays. It was a tough life, but she knew what had to be done to achieve her future.

“Hana-chan, Hana-chan,” yelled a joyful voice to her. She turned around to see a brunette running toward her, dressed in the male uniform, a black jumpsuit, and waving his books.

“Hello Zen-kun,” she replied to her one and only friend, Sasaki Zen.

“Hey Hana-chan,” he said, finally coming to face her. “How are you doing?”

“Fine as can be expected Zen-kun,” she sighed, knowing he had heard of what happened in her math class.

“Cheer up Hana-chan!” he said. “It could be worse.”

“Yes, but Arai-san shall be upset and dock my pay, and I am nearly overdo on my rent to Oonishi-san. She is nice enough to offer me a discounted room, I can’ t with hold my rent on her.”

Zen sighed. He had known Hana for nearly three months, and saw how much she had to handle. She had to nearly support herself and was offered little charity. Arai-san gave her barely minium part-time wage for the work of a full time employee. And Oonishi-san over charged her rent for that dinky little room and a few meals, plus demand her rent the first of the month while the rest didn’t pay till the eighteenth.

“Maybe you should be looking for a new job and place,” he suggested. Hana gasped at him as if he just suggested she set herself on fire.

“I could never do that!” she exclaimed. “Besides from you, they are the only people I know here.” Zen was so nice to her, but she had to remember that Arai-san did give her a job even at her age and that Oonishi-san let her stay in a room. Her life was better then it ever had been back in the orphanage.

Zen and her walked to his house, chattering about school. Hana talked about the homework she had due and Zen about the clubs that were accepting new members. He knew Hana wouldn’t join, she had too much to do with work as it was. He just wished he could help her more.

Sakashi Sakura was sweeping the front walk of her home, waiting for her son to arrive. Zen was normally always prompt, and Hana-chan was normally with him. She sighed. She had two sons, and Zen’s older brother was away at college. She had offered Hana his room for free, so she wouldn’t have to work so hard. ‘Poor dear,’ thought Sakashi-san.

As normal, Zen and Hana walked around the corner on time. They were deep in conversation about something to do with school. Sakashi-san sighed. ‘Those two and schoolwork.’

“Good afternoon Sakashi-san,” greeted Hana.

“Hello Okaa-san,” said Zen.

“Hello Zen-kun. Hana-chan, would you care to come to dinner tonight? We are having oden,” asked Sakura. She always asked Hana to dinner, thought the girl could seldom make it.

“Gomen nasai Sakashi-san,” Hana replied. “But I must work tonight.”

“Since you have detention tomorrow, how about then?” offered Zen.

“Detention?” asked Sakashi-san. “For what?”

“Sleeping in class,” said Hana shyly.

“Well, then tomorrow Hana-chan!” said Sakashi-san. “I shall make your favorite onigiri!”

“Domo Aragitou Sakashi-san!” said Hana, bowing to the older woman. “But I must be off if I wish to start my homework before I must work!” She waved goodbye to her friend and his mother, rushing down the street, as her home was still about twenty minutes away.

The boarding house was in the bad part of town, as was Arai-san’s grocery store. She had to pass the store on her way home, so she might as well stop by and tell him that she couldn’t work tomorrow.

Arai-san was a fat old man that spent most of his time in front of his store smoking a cheap cigar. He cared little for those around him, and scared off half his customers. Hana approached him and bowed.

“Good afternoon Arai-san,” she said.

“Matsumoto,” he said, not really seeing her face as his eyes had gone bad due to his diabetes, but knowing she was the only one to bow in front of him.

“I am sorry to tell you sir,” she said, timidly. “But I can’t work tomorrow.”

Arai-san chewed on his cigar for awhile. Hana was the hardest worker he had, as she was young and naive to the world. He hated not being able to use her to the fullest.

“And why should I keep you on Matsumoto?” he asked. “I could hire a full timer in your place, and they wouldn’t give me all this lip about school and nonsense.”

“Gomen nasai Arai-san,” she said. “I will come in early on Sunday to work.”

“I will still have to dock your pay,” he replied.

“I understand,” she bowed. “See you this evening Arai-san.” The old man didn’t reply.

She hurried home to the old boarding house that was falling apart. Oonishi-san, the middle-aged woman who owned was hanging laundry in the front yard, screaming if the neighbors’ children got to close to her. She hated children.

“Good evening Oonishi-san,” Hana said, bowing to the disgruntled woman who just glared at her.

“I am glad you think it so good Matsumoto,” said Oonishi-san in her normal creaky voice. “That means you have the time to get enough money for your rent next week. I don’t abide by people thinking it is good when they can’t pay for their good home and food. I find that to be incredibly lazy. Your not a lazy loafer, are you Matsumoto. I don’t abide with lazy loafers.” Oonishi-san tolerated Hana only for her ability to pay her high rent on time. She couldn’t stand the thought of having a lovely young girl living in her home. Most woman would have love to have a girl like Hana around, but not her. Hana just reminded her that there was goodness left in the world, something she thought best left forgotten.

“Of course I will Oonishi-san,’ said Hana. “I could never repay your kindness with such a break in trust, ma’am.”

“Good,” was all Oonishi-san said. Hana made her way into the boarding house.

The house had six rooms for rent. The other five held laborers and one starving artist. Hana rarely ever saw the laborers, except for at dinner, as they all worked the night sift at a factory. But the artist, Goto Dai-san, was a different story.

Goto-san rarely left the boarding house. He normally only did if he was going gambling, to get more beer, or on the rare occasion he had a painting to sell. He had many girls coming and going from his room. Models, he called them. But they looked sweaty and smelled salty when they left his room a hour or so later. He made enough to live in all the comfort Oonishi-san’s had to offer, but nothing better. He kept trying to urge Hana to model for him, saying it would make both of them famous. Hana in the kindest way she could manage, always turned him down. That didn’t stop him from trying every single day, and today wasn’t an exception.

“Hana-chan,” he slurred from his doorway. The strong smell of his body and his disheveled appearance betrayed his alcoholism to Hana. Although she very much rather have just gone to her room and forgotten about Goto-san, her nature wouldn’t allow it.

“Hello Goto-san,” she said, bowing a bit. He gave a lazy smile to her and moved closer.

“Hana-chan,” he whispered very close to her. “No need for such formality. Dai-kun would do just fine.”

“Of course Dai-kun,” she said. The words fell clumsily from her lips. The only one she addressed with such familiarity had been the children at the orphanage and Zen-kun.

“Were are you off to in such a hurry,” he asked, taking his right hand and pulling some of her long hair behind her ear.

“To my room to start my homework,” she replied, with a steady voice, though she was very nervous. “I have to work till late at Arai-san’s tonight.” She knew he knew were she worked, as he often saw her there when he went out to get something to drink.

“If you came to work for me, you would never have to worry about such things as Arai’s store or school again,” Goto-san said, only a handsbreadth away from her lips.

“I could never do that Goto-san,” she said, shaking her head. “Arai-san has been too nice to me and school means so much to me.” Goto-san looked very upset at this, but as another woman was now standing behind Hana, he decided to ignore it for the moment.

“Run along to your work, Hana-chan,” he said, turning his attentions to the woman. “The big kids have more important things to do.” With that, he ushered the woman inside and closed the door leaving Hana in the hallway.

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As always, Hana started to work the moment she got into her room, not pausing for three hours as she worked at her lessons with great precision and accuracy. Hana valued a good education above everything else and did everything to make certain she got it.

Back at the orphanage, she had learned the only way out of the darkness was to discover the light, and she deemed knowledge as her light. It was easy to devout herself entirely to her studies. She had no friends there, her timid nature made her easily lead, but her sense of honesty and trust made it impossible for her to break any rules.

Here, it was harder to concentrate on her studies do to work, but she made as much time as possible to do it. By the time she went into the dinning room for dinner, all her homework was done. She would have to recheck it over in her home room tomorrow, though, just to make sure her distraction hadn’t seeped into her work.

She made her way to the dinning room, really it was the living room with a card table and folding chairs around it. All the other boarders were there, except for Goto-san who was on one of his rare outings. She bowed and said greetings to the three men and one woman, who just ignored her in favor of food. Oonishi-san was serving what appeared to be a noodle dish that Hana couldn’t recognize do to the sloppiness of the meal. Oonishi-san had probably been missing a few ingredients to it, but couldn’t be bothered with going out and getting them. Hana ate a bit, then excused herself from the table to go to work.

She arrived to work a few minutes early, as usual, but started immediately. As the weather was turning a bit nippy, Arai-san sat in his office watching a show on his small black and white television set.

Her co-worker, Nikki Ayame-san, was sitting behind the counter taking care of her two year old son, Ken-kun. Nikki-san gave Hana a small smile as she entered and put on her work apron. Surprisingly, the store was very well kept and nice on the inside, odd for the part of town it was in. It was more from then work of Nikki-san, Hana, and their other coworker Hara Rei-san, then from Arai-san’s desire to keep a good shop.

Nikki-san and Hara-san were both full time employees. Hara-san was in his late thirties and a very solemn and quiet man. Nikki was in her mid-twenties and had been left last year by her husband. Both of them were nice and polite to Hana, but they didn’t really socialize in work, and never outside of it more then needed.

Hana noticed that besides the normal Thursday customers, two new comers were there. The new comers were boys about her age and very attractive. The taller and older looking one had long ebony hair that looked like silk. He was very elegant in appearance and manner and was in deep conversation with his younger companion. The younger boy was about two inches shorter then Hana and had large eyes and a brown mushroom cap hair style. He looked upset and teary eyed so much that it was impossible to not feel sad if you looked at him for too long. Both were in good high class clothing of high collared shirts and nice slacks, something out of place in the dingy and low-rent district.

The tall dark hair one finally notice Hana looking at them. Hana blushed deeply red and went back to her task of stocking the shelves with instant rice, hoping they wouldn’t complain about her rudeness. The dark haired one approached her.

“Excuse me,” he said to her, his voice as gentle as a sea breeze, but held the pain that she had seen in his friend’s eyes. “Were do I pick up the pre-ordered items at?” Sometimes customers who had more money, but didn’t want to travel the distance to another store, would pre-order items for a bit of extra money, so they could avoid the mundane task of grocery shopping.

“If you tell me the name of the order, I could go in the back and check it out and bring it up front,” she said. The pre-orders were all prepared in the afternoon or evening normally, by Hara-san, who always kept them stacked in the same place with a note pinned to them about were to find the perishables.

“That would be lovely,” he said, sighing a bit. She could tell he was nervous to be here. She couldn’t blame him. She had been scared the first few days here also, and she was use to the poor and dirt. “It should be under the name Marise Temple.”

“Marise Temple, isn’t there were Kudo-kun works,” Hana blurted out shocked. Kudo-kun came and picked up a large order every week. She was a wonderful woman that Hana greatly admired for her strength and gentle nature. But Kudo-kun had canceled her last week’s order and to her knowledge hadn’t made one for this week for a reason no one knew.

“Yes, Sumi-chan is our house keeper at the Temple,” said the boy. “She made the order just this morning, so she wasn’t sure if it would be ready for the normal pick-up.”

“I truthfully don’t know sir,” said Hana. “But I will check. I only work the evening and night shifts during the week. Hara-san works the mornings alone, but is gone by the time of my shift. I could still check.”

“Please don’t call me sir,” he smiled slightly at her. “I am only seventeen, and you don’t seem to be that much younger. I am Yamamoto Kiyoshi, please to meet you, Miss...”

“Matsumoto Hana,” she said. “And it is very nice to meet you Yamamoto-kun.”

“Kiyo-kun,” whined the boy she had seen him with earlier. “Did you get Sumi-chan’s order yet?” He was very impatient and hadn’t even noticed Hana and Kiyoshi talking.

“Hoshi-kun, do not be rude,” chided Kiyoshi. “Can’t you see that Matsumoto-chan and I were talking. Please apologize.

“I am sorry Matsumoto-chan,” he said, and Hana could see he actually meant it.

“No need to apologize, ah,” said Hana, not knowing how to address him.

“Watanabe Hoshi,” said Kiyoshi to Hana.

“No need to apologize Watanabe-kun,” she said. “I will go and check for your order now.” With that, she made her way to the back room, leaving Hoshi and Kiyoshi alone.

“She’s really cute,” said Hoshi to Kiyoshi. “And nice. Like Sumi-chan, only our age.” Hoshi didn’t know much about girls outside of Sumi, but he could tell that Hana was one of those nice girls you should never let go of like Master Fukazawa talked about. The memory of Master Fukazawa made Hoshi cry a bit, and Kiyoshi patted him sympathetically.

“I concur,” said Kiyoshi, looking at to were Hana had disappeared to. “She seems like a very nice young lady. I feel sorry for her being wasted here.”

“What do you mean wasted?” asked Hoshi, who at his age and inexperience was naive to the ways of the world.

“Matsumoto-chan is most likely being used for some reason by this owner,” said Kiyoshi. “Normally a young lady such as herself wouldn’t be working here unless she had a very good reason. She is probably very desperate for the money.” Kiyoshi was slightly sadden by the fact that such a sweet young girl was being abused and didn’t seem to notice it. He had read her emotions secretly and could tell that she had a hard life but was content with the meager offerings of happiness she had received. He couldn’t tell why he was so attracted to her, unless it was like Hoshi had said and he was reminded of Sumi. But he thought that it ran much deeper then that.

“I hope she isn’t,” said Hoshi. “She is too nice and sweet.” Kiyoshi nodded. Hana came back looking happy.

“Your order was complete,” she announced. “Nikki-san and I already moved it to the doors for you. Kudo-san has already sent in a payment for it. I can help you load it into your car.”

“Thank you Matsumoto-chan, but we will just be carrying it,” said Kiyoshi. He was startled by the look on Hana’s face.

“Yamamoto-kun, it is much to heavy for two people to carry all the way back to the temple!” She was shocked that they would even suggest such a thing, It was at least five miles to Marise Temple.

“It won’t just be us two,” Kiyoshi said with a small smile. On cue the door opened revealing another young man about Kiyoshi’s age. He was taller then Kiyoshi and had spiked brown hair and a good deal of muscle. His face was held in a serious and solemn expression.

“Matsumoto-chan this is Tanaka Mamoru,” said Kiyoshi. Mamoru nodded his greeting to Hana.

“Pleasure to meet you Tanaka-kun,” said Hana. “As you might have seen on your way in, your purchases are in the boxes by the door. If you don’t need any help loading, then I must get back to work. Goodbye.” Hana went back to her original task of stocking the shelves, while the boys went and picked up the boxes and left.

When they were outside, Hoshi turned to Mamoru and said, “What do you think of Matsumoto-chan?”

“She seemed nice,” said Mamoru, not really understanding Hoshi’s interest in her. Sure she was pretty, but there were a lot more prettier girls then her out there, and he was certain even Hoshi had seen a few.

“I like her, so does Kiyo-kun,” said Hoshi. Mamoru turned a quizzical eye toward the normally collected Kiyoshi, who stumbled upon hearing Hoshi’s statement.

“Matsumoto-chan is very nice and attractive,” said Kiyoshi, blushing a bit, with a strained voice. “But as for liking her, well..” Kiyoshi stopped that tangent all together do to an increasing blush, much to the amusement of Mamoru and Hoshi. “It doesn’t matter, we have much more to do, such as finding the Phoenix Heir, and we have no idea where he is. This is not the time to waste thoughts on a girl we barely know.” Both Hoshi and Mamoru knew he neither meant nor felt that, but Kiyoshi’s strong sense of duty would see to it. They came upon an alley, and went down it. When they were certain no one could see, Mamoru teleported them back to the Temple.

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The next day after class, Hana made her way obediently back to Kobayashi-sensei’s room. She expected the normal desk cleaning or board washing punishment that was normally given to a student for detention. But that didn’t seem to be what Kobayashi-sensei had in mind.

He was holding her latest English paper and her permeant record file, looking over them intently, when she entered.

“Good day Kobayashi-sensei,” said Hana. “I am terribly sorry for the problems I have caused you and can assure you I will try my hardest to never let it happen again and will receive my punishment with full knowledge that I deserve it.” She bowed to him and remained so.

Kobayashi-sensei looked at her from the rim of his glasses.

“I believe you are trying your hardest Matsumoto,” he said. “Too hard actually. Besides keeping an A average in the majority of your classes, you are working at a grocery store in your neighborhood, isn’t that correct?

“Yes sir,” said Hana. “But I did ask the school’s permission before I did so. Without it, I couldn’t attend this school.”

“I am well aware of those facts Matsumoto,” he said. “But I wonder how all this work is affecting your mind and body. You are after all a young girl, and have been dealt a rotten hand already. I understand that the Sasaki-sans have made an offer to take you in?”

“Yes,” replied Hana. “But I turned them down. I don’t need to burden them.”

“I hardly think you would burden them,” said Kobayashi-sensei. “I think it is a greater burden on them that you won’t accept their help. They are actually in contact with the orphanage you grew up at, in regards to adopting you.” That was news to Hana. Neither the Sasaki-sans or the orphanage on her weekly calls home had mention that to her. “All I am saying is to accept the help you are given. You deserve and have worked hard for a better life. It will probably be better for you to have a more traditional home and less finical stress on you. Just consider it. You are free to go.”

“What about my detention sensei?” questioned Hana. Kobayashi-sensei just smiled.

“If I punished every student that slept in my class, I would never make it home,” he said. “I just wanted to talk to you about this and would appreciate if you didn’t tell anyone else about it. I just wanted to let you know you have my support and the final decision.” Hana bowed and left the room.

The thought of Zen’s family wanting to adopt her was going through her mind, but she decided to write it of as hearsay by Kobayashi-sensei. After all, surly someone would have told her by now?

It was still early for dinner, but she made her way to Zen’s house just the same. They could start on their homework while they waited for dinner, if his mother didn’t need their help. She knocked on the white door, and Sakura answered.

“Hana-chan, your early,” she said excited. “I am glad Kobayashi didn’t keep you too long! Zen, Hana-chan is here!” Zen came down the stairs in a pair of sweat pants and an old t-shirt. Upon seeing her, he looked surprised, but happy.

“Hello Sasaki-san, Zen-kun,” she said, bowing. “Thank you for having me over.”

“Think nothing of it,” said Sasaki-san. “I love when Zen has friend over. Please, make yourself at home.”

“You are most generous with me Sasaki-san,” said Hana. “If you do not require Zen-kun nor my help, perhaps we should start on our homework.” Sasaki-san looked shocked at that question.

“You mean you do your homework the minute you get home, without complaint?” she asked.

“Yes ma’am,” said Hana. Zen-kun looked a bit anxious.

“I wish Zen would,” Sasaki-san exclaimed. “ I have to beg and beg him to do it. Of course you can do your homework!” She gestured Hana and a sheepish looking Zen upstairs. They sat at the table and worked on their homework, while Sasaki-san cooked. Two hours later, they set the table for dinner for three.

“I am sorry, but my husband couldn’t make it tonight,” said Sasaki-san. “Akeno is very busy with a new case he is working on.”

“I understand Sasaki-san,” replied Hana, eating some of Sasaki-san’s delicious food. It was much better then her normal fare. “He does have an important job as head of the police department. Specially with those Night Killers out on the loose.”

“Yes, but lets talk about more pleasant things,” said Sasaki-san, and the subject changed. Hana and Zen talked about school, and Sakura about the community and such. A hour later, Hana said her goodbyes and went home.

If she had anything else to do, she would have done it. She wasn’t working tonight and all her homework was finished. If it hadn’t been so late, she would have stopped by the library to pick up a book or two to read. She normally didn’t have time to waste on pleasure reading, so she rarely got to go.

Passing Arai-san’s store, she noticed that he had decided to go inside again. She thought of greeting him and saying she could start her shift now, a hour and half later then she was suppose to, but noticed that both Hara-san and Nikki-san were working, and decided against it. She walked right passed, then a voice called to her.

“Matsumoto-chan!” it said. She looked ahead and saw Hoshi, waving madly at her. “I was hoping to see you.”

“Hello Watanabe-kun,” she said. “Why are you here.”

“I came looking for you,” he said. “I wanted to see you again. But the people said you weren’t working tonight, but you had to pass by here to get home, so I decided to stay.”

“I hope you haven’t waited too long Watanabe-kun,” said Hana.

“Nope, only like ten minutes!” He replied. “And call me Hoshi-kun. I am younger then you and want to be your friend.”

Hana was a bit surprised at the forwardness of the boy, but found it to be endearing. She gave him a pretty smile.

“Of course Hoshi-kun,” said Hana. “But only if you would return the favor and call me Hana-chan. It is what all my friends do.” It was true. Zen was her only friend and that is what he called her. Hoshi gave Hana a big smile.

“Kiyo-kun and Moru-kun and the others told me to go out for a while to have some fun,” he said, still smiling. “So I decided to find Hana-chan and ask her to come and get some ice-cream with me! Please Hana-chan.” He gave her such a sweet look, she couldn’t say no. She felt in her pocket. She had enough spare change to buy one popsicle.

“Of course Hoshi-kun,” she replied.

“Yatte,” he said, grabbing her arm and taking her the way she had just come. After a few minutes of running, Hana was out of breath and sweating, while Hoshi wasn’t even breathing hard.

‘Must be something to do with his temple training,’ thought Hana. They had stopped in front of a large ice cream parlor that Zen often asked her to join him at. She frowned and her heart sank. She knew that she didn’t have enough money to afford it and would have to let Hoshi down.

“Hoshi-kun I am...” he didn’t let her finish, and dragged her into the place and up to the front counter.

“Two large ice cream cones !” He said happily to the lady waiting on them. He then took some money from his pocket and gave it to her. Hana, still in shock didn’t notice him turn to her. “What do you like Hana-chan?”

“What?” She asked confused.

“As an ice-cream flavor!” He said, laughing at her puzzled face. “I like chocolate, what about you?”

“Strawberry is my favorite, but..” Again, Hoshi ignored the last part as the woman handed him a large chocolate and strawberry ice cream cone. He handed the strawberry to Hana and lead her out of the shop. Standing on the sidewalk, he began licking his cone, while Hana was still in shock.

“Eat Hana-chan!” he laughed. “Ice-cream isn’t good on the ground.”

“I am sorry Hoshi-kun, but I don’t have the money to pay for it,” said Hana.

“That is why I paid for them Hana-chan,” said Hoshi. “Sumi-chan gave me enough money for two. One for me and one for you. As your friend, I thought it would be a nice treat.” He gave Hana a warm smile, which she returned, and began licking at her cone, which was very good.

The walked back toward the shop, chatting and eating ice-cream, when Hana noticed something following them. She didn’t know why at first, but she could feel a cold presence near them. Hoshi didn’t seem to notice it, so Hana ignored it. But the feeling wouldn’t go away. Then the sky grew gray and dark, as if a storm was coming from nowhere. Hoshi noticed this, and his face went pale.

“Shadows,” he said, dropping his ice-cream. “Hana-chan, get behind me now!” He ordered her, his voice very cold and his face serious and as hard as stone.

“Hoshi-kun,” she questioned, afraid at the sudden change in his demeanor and voice.

“Hana-chan, now,” He said, forcible moving her with strength she didn’t know he had, shocking her into dropping her ice-cream. He took a stance in front of her in what she recognized as a defensive Martial Arts stance.

From the gray area, spots of dark light that gave of the cold feelings of moments ago formed. The dark lights scattered across the ground and morphed into humanoid forms.

“Leave her alone,” Hoshi said. “She is an innocent and has no idea what is going on. I am the one you want.” The creatures ignored him, and moved closer to them. Hana was panicking at the creatures of dark light getting close to her. “I am sorry Hana,” said Hoshi, looking back and giving her a tearful apologize. “But I must stop them. Please still be my friend.” Before Hana could reply, Hoshi went charging toward them. While he was moving though, his body changed into that of a large lion. With his massive claws and jaws, he started attacking the creatures. Hana was frozen in shock. She willed her body to move, but her legs decided to remain rooted to the ground.

Hoshi, the now lion, was making quick work of the light beings. As he hit or bit them, they turned into dark steam and disappear into the gray matter. A few of them were able to slip past him and make their way toward Hana.

The minute Hana saw them approaching her, her legs finally received the signal from her brain and she ran. She was still in her school shoes, the only ones she owned, so her feet slipped down the sidewalk. She wasn’t paying attention to anything but to getting away, and she tripped on a rock and tumbled down.

The Shadows were almost touching here, when Hoshi finally noticed them. He went running after the now screaming Hana. The Shadows tried to grab her, but before they could, a sudden wind blew them away. With the moment of peace, Hana got to her feet to run again, but the Shadows had her surrounded. The wind wasn’t coming back and she couldn’t move. Hoshi could see the her cornered, but couldn’t help as more and more Shadows attacked him.

Hana in her last act of desperation called out for help, though she knew it useless as no one had come when they heard her screams. But something else did happen.

Her right hand began to burn with a pleasant warmth, a warmth that she seemed to have been longing for, for many years. The warmth spread through her body and she heard a beautiful wordless song fill her head. Her eyes shut in the feelings, forgetting for a moment about the odd monsters after her and the new friend that turned into a lion. For the first time in her life she was just focused on herself and what was inside of her. When the song ended, after to her what seemed like hours but was only a manner of seconds, her eyes flew open, and she felt and saw in her hand a long golden scepter that had a large head decorated in rubies and sculpted gold.

Before realization even dawned on her, she brought it to her side like a weapon. She struck the first two shadows with it like a club, then hit another with the base of it.

It occurred to her that she couldn’t destroy them that way, so she focused on the scepter to tell her what to do. She again felt the great wind that had blown the first one off of her, but it was more powerful and more malicious then before. It had large rocks caught in it and was blowing them toward the Shadows, knocking them and turning them into the steam. In a matter of minutes they were all gone and the gray passed as if a dream.

Hana dropped to the ground in shock and exhaustion, letting the scepter fall next to her. Hoshi changed back and approached her with both caution and admiration.

“Hana-chan?” he asked. Hana turned her eyes back toward the young boy. When she had first saw him change, she thought he was a monster of some sort. After the wind and scepter, she was beginning to question herself.

“Hana-chan,” Hoshi said again, this time excitement had crept into his voice. “Your it! You’re the Phoenix’s heir, Hana-chan! The Scepter proves it!” Her embraced her from behind and she gave into his hug, then quickly gave in to her feelings of exhaustion and fear to fall into the black oblivion where Shadows and lion boys roamed freely, but ran from a girl that held the wind inside of her.